Elevator plate mechanism



June 7, 1938. v E. E. ALEXANDER ,1

I ELEVATOR PLATE MECHANISM I I V F'iled Jan. 2, 1935 5'Sheets-Sheet 1 I I ill 4 m! l ni /enzor; flz sizgfllexden fiZ /Drne June 7, 1938.' E. E: ALEXANDER I 0,

ELEVATOR PLATE MECHANISM Filed Jan. 2, 1935 {5 Sheets-Sheet 2 i Even r; 1571628 ji'AZexander June 1933- E. E. ALE XANDER 2,120,081

ELEVATOR PLATE MECHANISM Filed Jan. 2, 1935 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 xY i"- Patented June 7, 1938 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 1 8 Claims.

This invention relates to elevator plate mechanisms and more particularly to a sill for spanning the space between the floors of a building and elevator structure. 1

It contemplates more especially the provision of a sill plate that constitutes a component ,part of the elevator cab and is within the control of the operator to also serve as a safety feature while the elevator is in vertical movement. With the use of freight elevators, there is a constant source of danger and accidental damage due to the fact that the space between the floors of an elevator and building structure presents much difliculty in wheeling loaded and empty trucks thereover. The wheels of the trucks are caught in the unprotected space even though the floors of an elevator and building structure are in horizontal alignment, but there is even a greater hazard when the elevator is slightly above or below the building floor landing which customarily occurs in the ordinary use of a freight elevator.

Then, too, most ,elevators present the hazard of permitting loaded or unloaded, trucks to roll toward the wall of the building structure while the elevator is in motion. This results in serious accidents and gives rise to much damage to the building and elevator structure to the end that freight elevators present serious problems in safety and accident prevention. This coupled with the fact that it requires great care and an extended period of time to load and unload trucks in connection with elevator operation, renders it an important advantage to provide a sill that constitutes an adjunct of the elevator and serves 85 a dual purpose of precluding the accidental re-' moval of loaded trucks as well as affords the speedy displacement thereof to the building floor landing when the elevator is brought to rest at any desired floor even though actual floor alignment is not accomplished, because the sill plate will compensate for slight variations either above or below the building fioor landing.

One object of the present invention is to simplify the construction and improve the operation of devices of the character mentioned.

Another object is the provision of a novel elevator plate mechanism that serves the dual purpose of' a safety expedient as well as a floor sill v50 to bridge the gap between an elevator and building floor structure.

Still another object is the provision of means in conjunction with an elevator car for precluding the accidental removal of trucks therefrom as well as to serve as a floor sill to afford truck displacement between elevator and building floor structures.

A further object is to provide an elevator plate mechanism that is mounted to the floor of an elevator so as to be capable of manipulation to serve 5 as a safety feature and as a floor sill.

A still further object is the provision of means for'operating a plate mechanism between horizontal and vertical planes in connection with an elevator floor for the purpose set forth.

Still a further object is the provision of a floor sill for freight elevators thatis power operated and is automatically controlled within predetermined limits of pivotal displacement.

Other objects and advantages will appear from the following description of an illustrative embodiment of the present invention.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a sectional view in elevation of a building and elevator structure having a plate mechanism embodying features of the present invention.

Figure 2 is a view similar to Figure 1 showing the plate mechanism in a vertical position to serve as a safety feature in conjunction with elevator operation.

Figure 3 is a sectional view taken substantially along line IIIIII of Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a sectional view taken substantially along line IV--1V of Figure 2. e 30 Figure 5 is a sectional view corresponding with Figure 1 of a modified embodiment showing the actuating mechanism disposed beneath the elevator floor.

I Figure 6 is a conventional wiring diagram of the controls utilized in actuating the plate mechanism disclosed in Figures 1 to 5 inclusive.

Figure 7 is a view similar to Figure 5 of a still further modified embodiment of the present invention, it showing a simpler form of link actuating mechanism. v

Figure 8 is a sectional view taken along line VIII-VIII of Figure 7.

Figure 9 is a sectional view similar to Figure 7 showing a still further modified embodiment of the plate actuating mechanism.

Figure 10 is a view similar to Figure 9 of still a further modified embodiment of the plate actuating instrumentalities.

Figure 11 is a view similar to Figure 7 showing a counterbalancing mechanism in conjunction therewith to minimize the power requirements in actuating the plate mechanism.

Figure 12 is a View similar to Figure 11 with a spring mechanism operatively connected theresubstantially with in lieu of the counterweightdisclosed in Figure 11 for the purpose set forth.

Figure 13 is a fragmentary view of a hand operated plate actuating instrumentality for use in connection withany'of the above described embodiments in lieu of the motor or other power source; t r

' J The structure selected for illustration isshown injassociation with a-building wall l having a 'sub-stantially rectangular opening -l I provided therein to define a doorway oropeningil2 to an elevator shaft l3 where passage over the building floor I4 is necessary for ingress or egress from an.

V to the plate 22'proximate tothe rearward-edge 23 thereof, and countersunk'in vthe floor lfi as at 25 for" attachment thereto to provide a pivotal connection between. theplate 22 and floor I6 elevator I 5. V for vertical movement within the shaft [3 in the customary manner by instrumentalities of standard'construction. To this end, the elevator l5 is provided with a floor 6 that must-be in substan tial alignment with the superposed building floors l4 constituting landings forlthe elevator floors [6. Any suitable control I! of standard, construction may be mounted in the wall of the elevator 45 to operate and effect the ascent ordescent of the elevator l5 in the customary manner.

f The doorway or opening]? is closed to preclude passage therethrou'gh as well as" to decrease the fireihazard to a minimum a suitable door of anytype, in this instance there being shown subjectmatter of the present; invention. w

' In order to bridge the space or gap 21 between the floors I4 and I6 of the buildingjand 'elevator structures; an elongated metallicjplate 22 of substantially rectangular configuration is mounted so that the linear edge 23 thereof is infedgecontact with the elevator flooridfor pivotal connec tion thereto. This is accomplished; in this instance, by means of hinges 24 that are 'secured proximate to the "threshold or edge of the. floor l6: that is adjacent theffloor landing I4. The

plate 22 I ispreferably of suchlength as to extend "for substantially the entirewidthfof the elevator. floor IB'andisof a width sufficient to overlap" the V floor'edge th'ereof and bridge the gap 2 lfforsupport on jthel building floor landing 4" so"that loaded or unloaded trucks may be displaced there- 'overfor ingress or egressrelative to the elevator 1 So that the elevator rl'oorilfi noti 'belin perfect alignment with'the building floor landing '7 14 in order to effect traverse of Vloadedor Jinloaded trucks thereover, the plate 22 is preferably crowned transversely of the length thereof so as 4 a to impart an iupward'or convex, curvature thereto.

Itjis to'be noted that the plate '22. overlaps the confronting edges of theifi'oors' I 4 and il fi'lonly Whilejthe elevator is at vrest at a'floorlanding, thereby affording the use of the plate 122 to cover the sill and, bridge thegapl 2 l therebetwe'en.

:In order to afford the vertical ascent or descent of the elevator I5,th'e plate mechanismi'n must be withdrawn from contact withthe'floor landing 14 and preferably displaced in ja ol'ockwise direc tion (viewed fromFigure'l') soastobesubstan- The elevator is slidably mounted tially vertical in its extreme limit of movement,

thereby allowing the doors l8 and I9 to close 1 and permit the elevators E5 to move vertically up Wardly or downwardly as occasions may require in the required use of the elevator l5.

To'this end, the plate 22 may be manually or power actuated to pivot between its extreme limits of movement about the hinges 24 that serve as a' pivot or line of fulcrum, 23 about and constituting the rearward edge 23-of the p1ate22, As

shown, one or more lugs 26 arefixed to the top surface of the plate 22 near an end 21 and proximate to the forward edge 28 thereof so as to pro- 7 vide furcations 29. A link is pivoted between the iurcations 29 proximate to the extremity thereof for pivotal attachment by means of a pin 3| that extends therethrough. 'The link 30is pivoted at its other extremity to the furcations 32 of a crank arm 33'through the medium ofa pin' 34. The crank arm 33 terminates in a hub 35 through a-wall 31: of the elevator 15 forjournalled supportin bearing brackets 38' and 39.

It is to be noted'that the bearing bracketsi-38r and 39 are fixed to the floor iii of the elevator 15 on bothsides of the side wall 31 thereof, and

the shaft 36' projects therebeyond so asto afiord 4 the attachment'of a hub 40 thatconstitutes a part of a link 4|. The link 4| in turn'is pivotally;

connected at its other extremity to a furcated bracket 42 through the medium of'a pin 4'3,1the furcated bracket 42 constituting a part ofza link 44 that protrudes vertically downwardly for connection to a crank arm 45. T The crank arm 45 is I pivotallyconnected tothe'link' 44 at its extrem V ities by means of a pin 46 for actuation by an electric motor inthat its armature is provided with a hub 48 constituting a'partof the crank V 'arm'45 forrotation therewith-in conjunction' with the motor armature shaft 49. I L

7 It is to be noted'that the motor is-suspend'ed by brackets 50' to the underside 5| of the elevator.

fmechanism is removed to preclude obstructionin the ingress and egress'to and from: the elevator is in circuit with the power source 53; however,

in the present embodiment it is preferred to also 5b employ a limit switch '54 of standard or approved construction whichhasa lever 55 in the pa'tho'f =trips56 and 51 that are fixed to the hub 48 con- With this arrangement, the anual; switch 52 may be actuated to energize the motor 4T and "floor 16; and in this 'manner the bulk ofS'th stituting a part of the crank arm 45 that rotates V with the armature shaft 49. I

2o that ismounted on a stub-shaft 36 thatproj e'cts i a V I5." Anysuitab le 'switch'52 *may beutilizedfor energizing and deenergizing the motor 41 which thereupontheplateZZ will be actuatedthrough the 'linkmeans 30, 33, 41 and 45 until'the trip "SF-displaces {the limitswitch lever 55 so as to break the circuit, thereby bringing the plate v22 to'a :stop at its extreme. limit'of movement to bridge the gap' 21 andthus enable "the-traverse of trucks thereover. To elevate'theeplate 22, to l I" itshother extreme limit-of -movement V-inca substantially vertical direction, the other button- ,of' the switch 52 is depressed so as, to again :energize the motor for rotation in the opposite di?- rection until the trip 51 moves; the limit switch lever 55 in the opposite direction to again breakthe circuit and thus bring the plate 22'to a position of rest in a vertical upright direction to serve'as a stop and safety guard that precludes the accidental 'removalfof trucks from the ele- 1vator l5.' V r A 'It is "to be noted, however, thatthe limit sw'it'ch E 64 need not be employed and that a manual'switch 52 resorted to for the purpose of both energizing and de-energizing the motor 41 so that the operator or attendant can gauge the entire distance of displacement. This merely requires the resort to a reversible motor 41 that is in circuit with the switch 52 and the source of electrical energy 53 so that the automatic limit switch 54 may be construed as optional equipment depending upon the dictates of commercial practice and the requirements of any particular installation.

It is worthy of note that the electrical circuit includes connections to the elevator control H in that the lever 58 thereof has an extension 59 that is adapted to contact with a lug or raised projection 66 comprising a part of or pressed into a resilient bar member 6 I. The resilient member 6| has a terminal 62 fixed to an extremity thereof, and is fixed at its other extremity 63 for yieldable cooperation with a stationary terminal 6% that is in circuit with the manual switch 52 and limit switch 54 so as to make and break the circuit therethrough depending upon the position of the control arm 56 of the elevator l5. When the control arm 55 is in one position or'another that is responsible for the ascent or descent of the elevator l5, the resilient bar 6| is urged by its own spring tension to separate the terminal 62 from the terminal 6Q in that the lever extension 56 is then out of alignment with the lug or projection 66 which allows the spring member 6| to elevate the terminal 62 out of contact with the terminal 64.

Consequently, when the elevator is in operation either in its ascent or descent, it will be impossible to energize the motor 41 that operates the plate 22 when the control arm 58 is in a neutral position that corresponds with bringing the elevator i5 to'rest. Then the control arm extension 59 is in aligned contact with the lug 60 so as to depress the resilient bar 6| against the urge of its normal springing action to effect contact between the terminals 62 and 64. As a result, the circuit including the motor 47 will be closed or capable of being closed through the manual switch 52 so that the plate 22 may be actuated to one position or another as may be desired. It is to be noted that the control arm extension 59 together with the resilient member 6| will be housed or confined in the elevator control mechanism ii to avoid exposure; however, this illustration on the exterior of the control housing I? is to clarify the disclosure.

In the modified embodiment disclosed in Figure 5, the plate actuating mechanism is entirely concealed below the elevator floor I6 or removed from the interior of the elevator I5 to avoid any obstruction in consequence of its presence as shown in the embodiment described supra. In this instance, the plate 22 has lugs 24' extending from the edge 23' for extension within correspondingly .iaped cavities 25 provided in the floor l6 of the elevator l5. As shown, the lugs 24' have transversely extending bores provided therein to receive the shaft 36' that is journalled in bearings 38 countersunk in the floor l6 of the elevator 55'. As a result, the lugs 24 together with the plate 22 rotate with the shaft 36 that has an extension which projects through the wall 31 of the elevator L5 in much the same way as the projection is disclosed in Figure 3.

The link ii is fixed to the shaft 36' as in the previous embodiment, and is similarly pivoted to the link 44' by means of the pin 43. A crank arm 45 is pivoted to the other extremity of the without obstructing the loading and unloading of the elevator. a

A still simpler embodiment is disclosed'in Figure 7 wherein the plate mounting lugs 24 have an extension 4|" that projects through a notohfi" provided in the floor l6 of the elevator l6". Another link 44" is connected to the lug extension 6| through the medium of a pin 43" that rides in an elongated slot 48" that is provided in its extremity. The link 44" is connected to a crank arm 45" through the medium of the pin 66', and is actuated or rotatedby the reversiblemotor M in a manner described supra. The limit switch 56" together with its co-operating mechanism on the crank arm 45" performs the usual function and is positioned precisely as described in the preceding embodiments.

In Figure 9, still another embodiment of the invention takes the form of a sill plate 22 that has the lugs 26 fixed thereto in a manner described in connection with the embodiment disclosed in Figure 7. Instead of the lever extension AI", however, a gear sector H is fixed to the lugs 2 3 so as to' mesh with a pinion t5 fixed to the armature shaft 49 of the reversible motor 47 The limit switch M is positioned on the motor casing 41 so that its lever will be actuated in one direction or the other by pins 56* and 57 that are the equivalent of the lever arm trips correspondingly numbered and disclosed in Figure 6. The electrical circuit is similar as that shown and described supra, and the mechanism is entirely concealed beneath the elevator floor |6 so as to provide a simple and efficient structure. a

In Figure 10 a still further embodiment is disclosed and in this instancethe plate 22 has the lugs 24 similarto the embodiment disclosed in Figure 7. The lug extensions M are, however, longitudinally slotted as at 62* to serve as a guide for a pitman block 43* which is mounted to a crank arm 45 through the medium of a pivot pin 44 crank shaft 49 in the manner described supra. The crank arm 65 has an extension 55 provided with a pin that is adapted to move in thepath of the trips 56 and 51 of a limit switch 54*. In

consequence thereof, the plate mechanism 22 will be actuated between its extreme limits of movement and controlled in a manner described supra. The crank arm 45 is rotated by the uni-directional motor 41'. I

In Figure 11 the structure is similar to that shown in Figure 7 with the addition of a counterweight 66 that is slidably mounted on a lever 61. A set screw 68 projects through the wall of the counterweight 66 to contact the lever arm consequence thereof, the required power of the The crank arm 45 is fixed to. the

' reversible rnotorf 41 is minimizedso as to more" economically effect their operation of the plate 5-2 2 land to provide for a smaller-and less expensiveflmotor' to serve that purpose.

;; LInIQ-I igure 1-12: the counterweight se Vis substi tuted-fby a"spring fifie that has one extremity thereof 1 mounted to the floor supporting angle 1-iront1ll with the'other extremity fixed to r a pin 'H 'carried by' the 'lever'Mf that isconnected to actuate the plate-M in the manner and according to the details of construction shown in Fig- "-urefl, counterbalance the Weight of the :plate 22 and :enable's theu'se of asmallermotor that is less expensive and is productiveoi cheaper maintenance?" It is worthy of note that the motor flimay' be"entirelyzdispensed' with, and that at V I hand lever 12. "isxsubstituted in lieu thereof for conn'eticin t'othe plate-ZZ through instrumen- 'talities such as described inany one, of the pre- 520" vious embodiments. V V H t Y With the arrangement of parts above described,

it will be apparent that a single sill plate 22 is requiredior each elevator rather than forevery 'floorllanding,as'heretoiore provided, and that such ca'n be utilized with greatspeed and advantage to bridge the gap 2| *between'the floors of a buildingand elevatorstructure as well'as to serve as :a safety, expedient in itsvertically erect position :to preclude the accidentalremoval of trucks or other cargo that is being carried by the elevator to.its desireddestlnation on'anyof the 7 desired floors l4 of the'building structure.

' as to be displaceableinoverlapping relation with an edge of said elevator fioor'whic'h adjacent Various changes may be made in the'embodi- V ment of the' invention herein specifically described without departing'from or sacrificing any of the advantages o f'the invention as defined. in the, appended claims; i l r I claimrz i 1. In 'an elevator structure having a floor for selective horizontal alignment with superposed floors ofabuilding structure,iof a metallic plate 'pivotally" associated with said elevator ;floor* so a building floor, link means for displacingjsaid metallic 'plate'to an operative or inoperative posi- "tion respecting said'building'floors to enable or j preclude the movement of trucks from one structureito the other, structure, means for counter- 'selective horizontal alignment with superposed floors of a building structure; of a metallic plate balancin gfsaid -plate so as to minimize the re-' quired"power for efiecting plate'displacement,

and lever crankmeans operatively connected to:

said link means, said lever crank means-and link means being so connected as to, retain said-plate in its extreme positions 'of movement. 7

2. In an elevator structure having a fioor for pivotally associated with said elevator floor so as to be displaceable in-overlapping relation with an edge of said elevator floor which is adjacent a building floor, link means for displacingsaid metallic plate to an operative -or inoperative posi- 3. In an elevatorfstructure' having a floor for selective horizontal alignment with superposed floors'of, 'abuilding structure, of an elongated me 7 Ltallic plate extending along anedge ofsaid elevator floor, there beinga notch of corresponding 7 f plate leng thjin said; elevator floor toyreoeive an elongated .edge" offsaid plate, pivotalfmeans ,5 mounted; on the underside of said'elevator floor adjacent said notch for attachment to said last named plate edge mounted'to' lie flush'with said' elevator'floor, means for displacing said metalli c'plate about said pivotal means in overlapping 10 vrelationxwith the threshold of said elevator floor to rest on abuilding floor in substantially horizonta-lalign-ment therewith to bridge the gap V between said; elevatorjandbuilding floor structures, and means interposed between said dis-715' placing means and said metallic plate to retain '-'i the lat-terin its extreme positions of; displacement. v 1

' 4J'In an elevator struoture'having'a ,floo'r" for selective horizontal alignment with superposed .20 floors of a building structure, o f'an elongated metallic plate extending-along an edge of said elevator floor, there being a notch of corresponding plate length in ssaid elevat or floor to receive'an elongated edge of said' plate, pivotal means mounted on the underside of said elevator floor adjacent said notch forfattachmentto said last named plate edge mounted tolie flush with said elevator floor, a moto-r fixed to the underside of said elevator floor proximate "to said pivotal' go means, and interenga-ging'means interposed between-said pivotal means and motor for displac ing said metallic plate about said pivotal means in overlapping relation: with the threshold" of said elevator fioor to, rest on a building 'floor 35 7 in substantially horizontal alignment therewith, thereby bridging the gap between said elevator and building floor structures.

5. In an elevator-structure 'having a floor for V V selective'horizontal alignment with superposed; 10 2 floors of abuilding structure, of an elongated 'me-V tallic plate extending alongan edge of said elevator floor, there being a notchof corresponding plate length in said elevator floor to receive an elongated edge of said plate, pivotal meansl45, inountedon the-underside of 'said' elevator floor adj acent said notch for attachment to said last named plate edgem unted to lie flush with said elevator vfloor, Valrnotor fixed to the underside of said elevator, floor proximate to said ivotalj 'm" means; and link means interposed between said 1 pivotal means and motor for displacing said metallic plate about said pivotal means in overlap ping relation with the thresholdof said elevator floor to rest "on a building ,iloor in substantially, 55

horizontal alignment therewith, thereby bridging? the .gapvbetween said elevator and building floor structures.

6. In an elevator structurehaving a floor for selectivehorizontal alignment with superposed m .fioors of a building structure, of anrelongated metallic .plate extending along an edgef'of said ele'vatorfioo-r, there being'anotch ofcorr'espond- I ingf plate length in said elevator floor to receive 7 an elongated edge'of said plate," pivotal means azi "mounted on the underside of said elevator, floor'l" adjacent said. notch "for attachment' to said last lnamedplate'edge mounted to lie flush with said elevator floor, a motor fixed to the underside of said elevator floor proximate to said pivotal qo means, and interengaging gear means interposed between saidpivotal means and motor for dis- -placingsaid metallic plate about said pivotal ;means in overlapping relation with the threshold of said elevato'r floor to rest on a building 110011 55 V in substantially horizontal alignment therewith, thereby bridging the gap between said elevator and building floor structures.

7. In an elevator structure having a floor for selective horizontal alignment with superposed floors of a building structure, of an elongated metallic plate extending along an edge of said elevator floor, there being a notch of corresponding plate length in said elevator floor to receive an elongated edge of said plate, pivotal means mounted on the underside of said elevator floor adjacent said notch for attachment to said last named plate edge mounted to lie flush with said elevator floor, a motor fixed to the underside of said elevator fioor proximate to said pivotal means, link means interposed between said pivotal means and motor for displacing said metallic plate about said pivotal means in overlapping relation with the threshold of said elevator floor to rest on a building floor in substantially horizontal alignment therewith, thereby bridging the gap between said elevator and building floor structures, and means for counter-balancing the gravity urge on said plate to minimize the required power for rendering operative said motor.

8. In an elevator structure having a floor for selective horizontal alignment with superposed floors of a building structure, of an elongated metallic plate extending along an edge of said elevator floor, there being a notch of corresponding plate length in said elevator floor to receive an elongated edge of said plate, pivotal means mounted on the underside of said elevator floor adjacent said notch for attachment to said last named plate edge mounted to lie flush with said elevator floor, a motor fixed to the underside of said elevator floor proximate to said pivotal means, link means interposed between said pivotal means and motor for displacing said metallic plate about said pivotal means in overlapping relation with the threshold of said elevator floor to rest on a building floor in substantially horizontal alignment therewith, thereby bridging the gap between said elevator and building floor structures, means for counter-balancing the gravity urge on said plate to minimize the required power for rendering operative said motor, and limit switches operatively connected to said motor to automatically govern the predetermined limit of plate displacement.

ELISHA E. ALEXANDER. 

